ZepDesk accounting software
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Create and receive e-invoices: XRechnung and ZUGFeRD.

ZepDesk generates structured e-invoices to the EU standard CEN 16931 and reads incoming e-invoices automatically. You keep working as usual; the format is created in the background.

E-invoice with XRechnung format and delivery status in ZepDesk
CEN 16931
EU standard for the electronic invoice
XRechnung
Mandatory format for public-sector clients
ZUGFeRD
PDF with embedded invoice data
€0
Surcharge, included in every plan
Sending step of an e-invoice with format selection in ZepDesk

Outbound: one click, the right format

When sending, you choose XRechnung for public-sector clients or ZUGFeRD for business customers who still want to see a PDF. ZepDesk checks the mandatory fields before sending and logs the transmission.

Leitweg-ID and buyer reference are stored per customer and set automatically.
Validation before sending: missing mandatory details are named.
Transmission log with a timestamp as proof in the document file.

Inbound: read, checked, posted

Incoming e-invoices are read out, checked against the purchase order, and created as a supplier invoice. Paper and PDF documents run through text recognition into the same process.

Automatic account assignment based on supplier, amount, and tax rate.
Approval workflow for the four-eyes principle before payment.
Archiving audit-proof, with a hash chain under GoBD (Germany's principles for proper digital bookkeeping).
See document capture
Supplier invoice with extracted fields in ZepDesk

Questions about the e-invoicing mandate

Who must be able to receive e-invoices?

Businesses in Germany must be able to accept structured e-invoices in the B2B space. Receiving is the first obligation; mandatory sending follows in stages. ZepDesk covers both directions.

What is the difference between XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?

XRechnung is a pure XML format intended for public-sector clients. ZUGFeRD is a PDF with embedded XML that both people and machines can read. Both meet the EU standard CEN 16931.

Is a PDF invoice by email enough?

No. A plain PDF is not an e-invoice as defined by the standard, because the data cannot be read out in structured form. ZepDesk therefore always produces a standard-compliant format.

How long must I keep e-invoices?

Ten years, in the original structured format. ZepDesk stores the original unchanged and logs every access.

Your invoice becomes a machine-readable data set.

On the left you type as always; on the right, the fields that XRechnung and ZUGFeRD require under the EU standard CEN 16931 take shape.

INVOICE MC-2026-003
Invoice number MC-2026-003
Invoice date 03.03.2026
Leitweg-ID 04011000-12345-67
Gross amount 3.427,20 €
ID
MC-2026-003
IssueDate
03.03.2026
BuyerReference
04011000-12345-67
TaxInclusiveAmount
3.427,20 €

Field names from the EU standard. ZepDesk fills them from the details you enter anyway.

Set up e-invoicing today.

Create customers, store the Leitweg-ID, send your first XRechnung. The rest runs from the normal invoice screen.

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